"Eye contact activates the brain's social and emotional circuitry almost immediately, says Dr Susan J O'Grady, clinical psychologist and relationship therapist. O'Grady explains that when we look into another person's eyes, the areas of the brain involved with emotional recognition and social awareness become active. Our nervous system quickly shifts into states of arousal, she says. Fear, anticipation or excitement."
Happiness researcher Arthur C Brooks recommends couples spend five minutes nightly holding hands and maintaining eye contact to strengthen relationships and manage mood. This builds on a 2015 viral New York Times essay about increasing intimacy through 36 personal questions followed by four minutes of eye contact. While many people find prolonged eye contact uncomfortable, neuroscience reveals it activates the brain's social and emotional circuitry almost immediately. Clinical psychologist Dr Susan J O'Grady explains that eye contact engages brain areas responsible for emotional recognition and social awareness, causing the nervous system to shift into states of arousal including fear, anticipation, or excitement. Understanding these neurological effects helps explain both the discomfort and potential benefits of this intimate practice.
#eye-contact-and-intimacy #relationship-strengthening #neuroscience-of-connection #emotional-arousal #couples-communication
Read at www.theguardian.com
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